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Arts Commission News

Mississippi Arts Commission Welcomes New

Board Chairman

DATE:          September 9, 2008 

CONTACT:    Susan Dobbs, MAC Public Relations Director

601/359-6031, sdobbs@arts.state.ms.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

JACKSON— The Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) has named Robert St. John of Hattiesburg as the new chairman.  St. John has served on the Commission’s Board since August 2002, previously serving as co-chair, and was recently elected by his fellow board members to replace outgoing Board chairman, Dorothy Howorth of Oxford.

            For twenty years, St. John has served as executive chef, president, and CEO of the Purple Parrot Café, the Crescent City Grill, and the Mahogany Bar in Hattiesburg and Meridian.  He is a nationally-known restaurateur, chef, food writer, and author.  He is one of the nation’s only food/humor columnists.  The Lexington Herald-Leader called him a “Jeff Foxworthy-style chef with an opinion on all things culinary.”

St. John, a self-taught chef, has been featured on The Food Network, The Travel Channel, and the Turner South network and is considered a creative force in the gourmet food business.  The Purple Parrot was named the best fine dining restaurant by Mississippi Magazine in 2007.

During the past six years, St. John has written seven books.  Two of the books, A Southern Palate and Southern Seasons, were in collaboration with renowned Mississippi watercolorist, Wyatt Waters.  His recent book, New South Grilling, covers the basic principals of mastering a true southern pastime – grilling!

In addition to his work with the Mississippi Arts Commission, St. John serves on the board of directors of the Mississippi Museum of Art, the advisory council of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, and is on the National Chef’s Council for the Chef’s for Humanity Organization.  He is past president and chairman of the board of the Mississippi Restaurant Association.

 “Robert has been such a strong and dedicated board member, being an advocate for the arts across Mississippi and heartily supporting the Commission’s goals. We look forward to his leadership and eating well during his tenure,” said MAC’s. Executive Director, Malcolm White.  The Mississippi Arts Commission is governed by a 15-member, governor-appointed board. “This agency is so fortunate to have the committed leadership of our board members,” White said.

The Mississippi Arts Commission is a state agency, funded by the Mississippi Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, The Wallace Foundation, The Phil Hardin Foundation, Donna and Jim Barksdale, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation and other private sources.  MAC is the official grants-making and service agency for the arts in Mississippi. The agency serves as an active supporter and promoter of arts in community life and in arts education.

            For more information contact the Mississippi Arts Commission at 601/359-6030 or visit www.arts.state.ms.us.

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